A school system in Lincoln, Nebraska is asking teachers to make their classrooms more gender-inclusive by avoid the words “boys” and “girls.”
"Don't use phrases such as 'boys and girls,' 'you guys,' 'ladies and gentlemen,' and similarly gendered expressions to get kids' attention," a handout from Lincoln Public Schools stated.
Instead, teachers have been told to creatively refer to their students. Examples include telling all students that like milk to line up, followed by students that prefer juice. When addressing the whole class, teachers are encouraged to invent a classroom name such as “purple penguins” the handout said.
The teachers were told to "Always ask yourself, 'Will this configuration create a gendered space?'"
Lincoln County Public Schools coordinator of social workers said counselors Brenda Leggiardo said, "The agenda we're promoting is to help all kids succeed. We have kids who come to us with a whole variety of circumstances, and we need to equitably serve all kids."
Publication date: October 13, 2014
